Computers in society;: An introduction to information processing

by Donald H. Sanders

Written at a time when computer use was restricted to large organizations, and few individuals had both "the need" and resources to acquire their own computers. This volume provides an introduction to the history and evolution of information processing, explain electronic data processing procedures, consider the social impact, and explore future uses and implications of computers. 18 chapters in 4 parts. The parts are: 1, Information Processing in Society: Background & Some Implications; 2, Orientation to Computers; 3, Computer Influence on a Changing Society; and, 4, Selected Computer Uses in Society.

Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[Erik Graff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Upon graduation from seminary and return to Chicago, I had to find a job. My graduate degree in psychology being apparently worthless, I settled for being a child care worker with adolescent boys diagnosed as schizophrenic (most weren't) with the Jewish Children's Bureau. I liked the boys--well, all but one of them, but the pay was less than needed to pay back six student loans and there was no future in it. I looked for alternatives...

One alternative was computer programming. The step-father of two friends was an executive for some sort of computer firm and several of our friends were working there. Computers were of some interest, so I picked up this book, read it, went in for an aptitude examination.

I did well on the examination and was offered a job. But the kinds of questions that the exam had asked and the kinds of examples of programming that the book had given made a career in computer programming seem very, very dull. Thus I stayed in child care, but bought a first computer, a Commodore 64 with tape drive, a few months later.